The 7th Annual Conference of the Ethiopian Society of Sociologists,
Social Workers and Anthropologists [ESSSWA]
Theme of the Conference:
Social Protection/Safety Nets for Vulnerable Social Groups under
Economic Growth in Ethiopia
I.
Introduction
The Ethiopian Society of Sociologists, Social Workers and Anthropologists (ESSSWA) was founded in June
1996. ESSSWA works with a vision to see sustainable and positive social change in Ethiopia and to be an
active participant in the transformation process. Its mission is to represent the interests of the
professionals of Sociology, Social work and Anthropology and advance the application of these disciplines
for the well being of the Ethiopian Society.
Since its establishment, ESSSWA has organized series of national and regional workshops, annual
conferences and trainings to its members and concerned stakeholders. This year’s conference will focus
on issues of social protection and safety nets across urban, rural and pastoralist areas. The scope of the
social protection/ safety nets include strategies used by different organizations ( government, CSO/NGOs,
donors) to transfer income or assets to the poor, protect the vulnerable against livelihood risks and
enhance the social status and rights of the marginalized. These can be social protection policies and
practices that aim to tackle the problems of chronically poor (severely disabled, terminally ill, ethnic
minorities, urban unemployed, pastoralists, subsistence smallholders), economically vulnerable (cash crop
farmers, internally displaced persons, orphans, informal sector workers, burial societies, widows, the
elderly) and socially marginalized groups (ethnic minorities, abducted children, people living with
HIV/AIDS, victims of domestic abuse, people with disabilities, street children and female-headed
households).
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II.
Objectives of the conference
The objectives of the conference are to:

Identify the relevance, impacts and challenges of social protection/safety nets strategies and
practices at different levels in line with the broader poverty reduction and economic growth
efforts of the country,

Enable participants of the conference to identify synergies among different social protection/
safety nets components for various cross sections of the society.

Provide insights on long term perspective for social protection/safety nets initiatives that
takes into account the changing nature of shocks and stresses as well as the perpetuation of
chronic urban and rural poverty among destitute social groups,
III.
Organizers of the Conference
The conference with a theme “Social Protection/Safety Nets for Vulnerable Social Groups under Economic
Growth in Ethiopia” will be organized by ESSSWA in partnership with the National Social Protection
Platform Partners, Oak Foundation and the Addis Ababa University.
IV.
Expected outcomes of the conference
The Conference will deal with the opportunities and challenges of designing and implementing social
protection/safety nets strategies along with poverty reduction strategies and economic growth in the
country. Participants will have the opportunity to learn and discuss these and many additional issues of
importance in creating strategies for the protection and safety of the vulnerable social groups.
V.
Long term Plan of ESSSWA on Social Protection/Safety nets and Human Environment
ESSSWA takes the issue of social development at the heart of its research and policy agenda in its new
strategic planning period- 2009- 11. Based on the recommendations of the Conference on Social
Protection/Safety Nets for Vulnerable Social Groups under Economic Growth in Ethiopia, ESSSWA will
redefine the scope of its intervention on this thematic area. These scope of priorities will be
mainstreamed into its series of seminars and conferences that will be held for multiple stakeholders
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mainly members, NGO and government representatives, UN agencies to exchange thoughts and improve
the design and implementation of social protection and social safety nets. The outcomes of the seminars
will be published and circulated to policy makers and practitioners.
VI.
Thematic papers
Technical papers will be presented based on an open call for papers, invitations are made and abstracts
are submitted on the following broad thematic areas;
Theme one

Social Policy and social protection/safety nets measures for the rural and urban poor
Theme Two

Social protection frameworks for Ethiopia: what should the foundation for social
protection policy in Ethiopia? And what should be included in the strategy?
Theme Three

The Global crisis of food, fuel and finance and its Social Impacts
Theme Four

Social Capital and Social Risk Management Practices in urban, rural and pastoralists
communities
Theme Five

NGOs social protection/safety nets practices for Children and Youth as well as People
with Disabilities and the elderly
Theme Six

Recent Pension and Social Security Reforms
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VII.
Facilitators
The facilitators would be resource persons who have got considerable knowledge and experiences in
social protection and social safety nets. They may be from organizations that include universities;
associations, UN agencies, government organization, NGOs, bilateral and multilateral organizations.
VIII.
Participants
Participants of the conference include ESSSWA members, other professional Associations, representatives
of donors, NGOs, bilateral and multilateral organizations, UN organizations, government organizations,
community institution/such as Iddirs, different stakeholders involved in providing social protection and
social safety net services.
IX.
Time Frame
The conference will operate on the following time frame proposed for all linked activities.
X.

The Conference will be held from 26-27 March 2010

Deadline for abstracts submission 12th February 2010

Selected abstracts will be invited to prepare a full paper by 19 th February 2010

Deadline for final papers submission is 18th March 2010
Location
The Conference will tentatively be held at the UN-CC, Addis Ababa
XI.
Contact Address
Samuel Lule
Secretariat Coordinator
Mobile: +251911477264
e-mail-samwoy2@gmail.com, essswa@gmail.com
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